Background: Ischemia/reperfusion induced acute renal failure causes excretory functional disorders of nephrons. Ischemia/reperfusion injury is accompanied by generation of reactive oxygen species that leads to dysfunction, injury, and death of renal cells. Antioxidants of plant origin minimize the harmful effects of reactive oxygen species. The aim of this study was to determine the possible therapeutic potentials of Rosa canina L. in preventing renal functional disturbances during the post-ischemic reperfusion period.

Methods: In this experimental study undertaken for evaluating renal excretory function in 30 male Wistar rats, renal ischemia was induced by occluding both renal arteries for 45 min, followed by 24 h of reperfusion. The rats received 2 ml of tap water or a hydroalcoholic extract of Rosa canina (500 mg/kg) orally for 7 days before induction of ischemia. In plasma samples, creatinine and urea nitrogen levels were measured, and in renal tissue samples, red blood cells were counted. The data were analyzed using ANOVA and Duncan tests.

Results: Renal ischemia for 45 minutes increased plasma levels of creatinine (P<0.001) and nitrogen urea (P<0.01) while reducing red blood cell counts in renal glomeruli (P<0.001). Rosa canina administration diminished the increase in creatinine (P<0.001) and nitrogen urea concentrations (P<0.01), and prevented reductions in red blood cell counts in renal glomeruli (P<0.001).

Conclusion: Rosa canina seems to be useful as a preventive agent against renal damages induced by ischemia/reperfusion injuries in rats.